Back to Golden Days

I started this blog six years ago as a way to share my passion for classic films and the Old Hollywood era. I used to watch dozens of classic films every month, and every time I discovered a new star I liked I would go and watch their entire filmography. But somewhere along the way, that passion dimmed down. For instance, I watched 73 classic films in 2016, and only 10 in 2020. The other day, I found this film with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. that I had never heard of, and for some reason it made me really excited about Old Hollywood again. It made me really miss the magic of that era and all the wonderful actors and actresses that graced the silver screen. And it also made me think of all the reasons why I fell in love with classic films in the first place. I came up with 80 reasons, which I thought would be fun to share with you. Most of them are just random little scenes or quirky little quotes, but put them together and they spell Old Hollywood to me. Yesterday I posted part one ; here i...

This week on «Film Friday,» I am honoring Lauren Bacall's 92th birthday, which happens to be today, by telling you a little bit about the first film of hers that I saw. This not only marked her screen debut, but also remains her most iconic picture. Directed by Howard Hawks, To Have and Have Not (1944) opens in the summer of 1940 in the Caribbean island of Martinique, a French colony which is now controlled by pro-German Vichy France. World-weary boat captain Harry Morgan (Humphrey Bogart) and his drunken friend Eddie (Walter Brennan) earn their living by taking wealthy tourists on fishing cruises. One day, Harry is approached by Gérard (Marcel Dario), a hotel owner and member of the French Resistance, commonly known as «Frenchy» to English speakers. He offers to pay Harry to smuggle important Resistance members Hélene (Dolores Moran) and Paul De Bursac (Walter Surovy) into Martinique, but he refuses to become involved in Frenchy's political activities.   Humphrey Bogart, La...

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are one of the most iconic couples of Hollywood's Golden Age. Despite their 25-year age gap, their chemistry was undeniable both on and off screen. They starred in four films together, had two children, hosted legendary parties, sailed on their yacht, and formed part of Hollywood's elite «Rat Pack.» Beginning in 1943, their devoted relationship lasted until Bogart's death from cancer in 1957, cementing their status as one of the most enduring and celebrated Hollywood romances. This is their story.   LEFT: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall photographed at their home for Warner Bros. in 1945. MIDDLE: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall aboard his sailing yacht, «Santana,» in a photoshoot for Warner Bros. in 1946. RIGHT: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall on break from rehearsal for their appearance on the adaptation of To Have and Have Not on the CBS radio programme Lux Radio Theatre , on October 14, 1946. Born Betty Joan Perske in the Bronx...